Worry Angels

by Sita Brahmachari, Jane E. Ray (Illustrator)

Amy May knows about webs of worries - so many people she meets are caught in them, from her own artist dad to newly arrived refugee Rima and her family. By being brave enough to open up her worry box, Amy May helps all those around her find a way forward. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+

Genres: School, Psychology, Family, Middle Grade

97 pages, Paperback

Published September 15, 2017

About the author

Sita was born in Derby in 1966, to an Indian doctor from Kolkata and an English nurse from the Lake District. She has a BA in English Literature and an MA in Arts Education. Her many projects and writing commissions have been produced in theatres, universities, schools and community groups throughout Britain and America. ARTICHOKE HEARTS is her first novel for young people. Sita lives and works in North London with her husband, three children and a temperamental cat.

Reviews

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about Amy-May and the worries she faces when her parents split up and she moves to a new area, how she learns to cope with the help of Graces Art House. This is also a story of friendship as Amy May meets Rima a Syrian Refugee and her family. The friendship helps both of them overcome their anxiety together

[Alys · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a children's book and I read it as an adult. Pretty good but definitely crossed the line from 'touching' into 'cringe' about half way through. It dealt with the difficult topics relatively well and I can imagine that a child wouldn't have found it too cringey and they are, after all, the target audience.

[Amy (Golden Books Girl) · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this novella for Barrington Stoke, Sita Brahmachari tells the story of Amy-May who has begun to suffer from anxiety after her parents divorce and how she goes to Grace`s art school instead of secondary and meets Rima, a Syrian refugee. Rima`s story was heartbreaking and I loved that this book showed her family as real people, not a problem for the country. Even though they couldn`t initially speak to one another, I still loved her friendship with Amy-May and how it developed throughout. While I did find the writing hard to adjust to at first, it`s absolutely stunning, and I also adored the hopeful, heartwarming ending for the girls. Finally, Jane Ray`s interior illustrations are beautiful and really enhance the story. 4/5

[Eve L-A Witherington · Rating 5 out of 5]

After her parents split up Amy has a hard time adjusting and after being home schooled too starts at Grace's art school where her aim is to adjust to moving to a proper school eventually with a bit more confidence.



While there she meets Rima and her refugee family and learns of the life and journey they've had to survive and make it to where they are now.



This was a brilliant book showing how anxiety can begin/be triggered and learning to adjust to new situations which are totally relatable to many people I liked how the girls friendship developed as the story progressed and the hopefulness the book ends on made me feel like everything would be ok for the girls now they had each other.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very short but lovely book aimed at middle graders all about anxiety, divorce and being a school refuser. It’s actually really light and not angsty but deals with these serious issues in a way that isn’t overwhelming to younger readers. Published by Barrington Stoke, it’s in a dyslexia friendly format.

[Jeanne Dierkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the loveliest books I've ever read, despite a sad beginning of the story. Written from the perspective of a young girl, it drew me in straight away and I found the writing to be beautifully descriptive and could see so many images in my head thanks to that, right up to the end of the story.

[Agnès · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely but a bit slight and I have a few doubts about the age of the protagonist.

[Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amy-May's parents have just gotten divorced.

The rest of my review can be seen here: https://bit.ly/2EqsBXm

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet story about friendship and multiculturalism

[Inger-Johanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read it to my daughter for ESL listening practice. Some interesting emotional issues to discuss in addition to the vocabulary.

[Ann Sawyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautifully written book. The subjects covered are delicately handled, divorce, refugees and anxiety. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

[Isa]

good book

[Kirsten Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!
I've just devoured this. A beautiful story about how Amy-May manages her anxiety as her parents separate and how she welcomes Rima a refugee from Syria

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

trigger warnings: anxiety, war, the refugee experience, divorce

I wish this sort of place existed when I was at school

[Betsy Tanner-Stacey]

I really liked this book as it gives you an understanding of standing of what people go through and although some parts are sad it is a great book!!

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[Alice magical library · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. It was quite a short read, and I think that it was quite a calm and steady book. I liked how it talks about much it affects you when you move house and when your parents have split up, as although I have never experienced either of these things, I think it still describes the experience really well, and I think that really defined Sita’s writing ability

[Nicola Whitehouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely book for older children - good for use with children that have recently moved to england or going through a family split

[Bookmuseuk]

My next review from the Jhalak Prize 2018 longlist is another children’s book, this time for young readers.

Two very different young girls, both facing massive life changes, are eased into their new Secondary School by the wonderful Grace Nuala and her messy colourful art house.

Amy-May’s parents have split up. Her father has gone to live in a tumbledown cottage on a remote hillside, and she’s not sure if that means he doesn’t want her any more. He’s been home schooling her up till now, but she and her mother have moved to the city, and she has to face the prospect of going to a big new school.


We stand and stare at the metal and glass building that looks more like and art gallery than a school. The outlines of hundreds of children move like ants along the corridors. “I can’t come here, mum,” I say, and turn away.

Rima’s journey has been even more difficult. She’s travelled all the way from Syria. She’s known hunger and fear, and her little brother’s leg has been crushed by a bomb. She feels guilty because she’s alive and safe, but she doesn’t want people to see her only as a refugee. She wants people to see who she is.

With the help of Grace, and the volunteer translator Iman, Amy learns that there are so many ways to talk to someone who doesn’t speak the same language as you:

With your hands, with your eyes, with pictures in the sand...You act things out... you let the feeling show in your whole body... whatever way you can to show them you want to be their friend.

Grace makes Worry Angels, little figures to represent her young charges, and when they are ready to fly up to the big school, she gives the angels their wings.

Written in clear, simple English and beautifully illustrated by Jane Ray, this would suit young readers struggling with anxiety or those learning about refugees. But equally, it would be an excellent book for slightly older children learning English as an additional language. Worry Angels is full of warmth and empathy and above all, hope.